Four suspected drug dealers charged in Espanola, fentanyl and cocaine seized

Police seized $45,000 in drugs in Espanola this week, while Sudbury police uncovered a meth lab in Chelmsford.

Acting on a tip about suspected drug dealers in Espanola, a collaborative effort between several northern Ontario crime units led to the arrest of four and the seizure of $61,600 in alleged fentanyl, cocaine and meth.

Community street crime units from East Algoma, Nipissing West, North Bay and West Parry Sound assisted the Manitoulin detachment in the investigation, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

Officers pulled over a vehicle of interest on March 5 in Espanola and arrested four people inside.

“Police then attended an address in Espanola to execute a search warrant,” OPP said.

“As a result, police seized amounts of suspected fentanyl with an estimated street value of $45,000, amounts of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $16,000, amounts of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $600, a prohibited handgun with an extended magazine and a tactical vest with a handgun holster.”

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Dozens of firearms, weapons and trafficking charges have been laid against the four suspects which include an Espanola man, 40, a Sudbury man, 40, and two from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township – a 34-year-old female and 35-year-old male.

They were held in custody and scheduled to appear in court in Sudbury on Thursday.

Espanola is located on Highway 17 about 71 kilometres west of Sudbury.

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